Paper feed and tensioning device for use in article wrapping machines



Dec. 27, 1966 w. T. HANSEN ETAL 3,293,825

PAPER FEED AND TENSIONING DEVICE FOR USE IN ARTICLE WRAPPING MACHINES Dec. 27, 1966 w. T. HANSEN ETAI.

' PAPER FEED AND TENSIONING DEVICE FOR USE IN ARTICLE WRAPPING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21. 1964 f JW .E Y M M www, WMWN M Mm y MM Dec. 27, 1966 w. T. HANSEN ETAL 3,293,826

PAPER FEED AND TENSIONING DEVICE FOR USE 1N ARTICLE WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Feb. 21. 1954 4 sheets-sheet 5 n?. QWM

0 'A THM? Afrox/Maw INVENTORS. MERE/v 7.' HANSEN DSC-27, 1956 w. T. HANSEN ETAL. 3,293,825

PAPER FEED AND TENSIONING DEVICE FOR USE IN ARTICLE WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Feb. 2l, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fo u RTM STEP /M/L-m/v A. Wrme/mfg 7 BY Mr United States Patent O nos Filed Feb. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 346,566 7 Claims. (Cl. 53228) Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in a Paper Feed and Tensioning Device for Use in Article Wrapping Machines.

In our experience in the art of automatic wrapping machines, such for example as shown in United States Letters Patent NO. 2,853,841 dated September 30, 1958, we have found that during the wrapping process undesirable folds, curls or creases develop in the wrapping paper. Such folds, -curls or creases of the wrapping paper often result from the fact that as the paper we'b is folded beneath the article from the latters trailing side, the weight of the article on the paper web as it is moved imposes a slight drag on the web, resulting in the leading edge portion of the web forming a lfold, curl or crease. We have Valso found that due to moisture as well as constantly changing temperatures, the wrapping paper may develop undesirable curls, waves, or crirnps and that unless the same are removed, the article will not be perfectly sealed during the wrapping process, with the result that moisture and air will be admitted into the wrapped package. If the wrapped article is of a perishable nature, such as food products, it is apparent that such imperfect seal will result in deterioration or spoilage of the article.

It is a principal object of our invention to provide a simple yet effective and positive means for accomplishing the object of taking out of the wrapping paper all unevenness, creases or curling before the wrapped article reaches the sealing station.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational part sectional detail view Iof a wrapping machine incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, part sectional View of the reverse side of that shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, `similar to FIG. l, but showing the parts thereof in dilferent positions;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the feed and tensioning mechanism embodied in our invention;

FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive yare schematic views of different fold operations eifected by the feed and tensioning mechanism. l

The several objects of our invention are accomplished by the preferred form of construction shown in the accompanying drawings.

In this connection the article wrapping and sealing machine as shown in the aforesaid patent includes a main frame which supports a cutting mechanism 11 comprising a movable blade 12 and a stationary bed plate 13. The film or web of paper `from a roll of paper passes over this bed plate 13 beneath the knife 12. An elevator structure is indicated at 14, shown in FIG. 4 in perspective. It is on this elevator that the article to be wrapped is moved in a manner shown in the aforesaid patent. The

article moving means constitutes no part of the present invention. Any conventional or approved moving means may be employed.

The elevator 14 is supported for vertical movement by standards 15 and, as in the case of the structure shown in the aforesaid patent, this elevator is moved to a position where the paper web will be wrapped thereabout in a manner to be presently explained.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, the elevator comprises mounting brackets 16 arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other and between which is arranged a receiving platform or plate 17. Bearing blocks 1'8 are secured to the brackets 16, and journalled between these blocks 18 and supported there- -by for rotation are shafts 19 arranged in the same horizontal plane and in par-allel spaced relation with respect to each other. Arranged on the shafts 19 are grooved pulleys 20. Connecting the grooved pulleys 20 of one shaft 19 to the grooved pulleys 20 of the other shaft 19 are elastic bands 21 similar to O-rings. The upper runs 21 of the bands 21 operate above a plate 22 slotted as at 23 to expose such runs 21' to a sheet of wrapping paper.

Above the bearing blocks 18 and supported by the brackets 16 is a second set of blocks 24. Extending between these blocks 24 and journalled therein is a pair of shafts 25 arranged in the same horizontal plane and in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other and above the plane of the shafts 19.

The shafts 25 likewise have a plurality of pulleys 26 mounted thereon and the pulleys are connected together by elastic 'bands 27 similar to the bands 21. The lower runs 28 of these bands 27 operate through slots 29 formed in a plate 30` similar to the plate 22. Both of these plates, 22 and 30, are supported in any suitable manner from the brackets 16.

Additional bearing lblocks 31 provide bearings for the end portions of the shafts 32 and 33 arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other and in a plane above the shafts 25. Mounted on the shafts 32 and 33 are knurled rollers 34. Connecting these rollers are belts 35 having transverse ribs 36 which engage the knurls of the rollers 34, whereby to afford a positive engagement between the belts 35 and the surfaces of the roller 34, thereby to eliminate any slippage between these parts.

The upper run 37 of the belts 35 is exposed above slots 38 formed in the plate 17 which is supported from the brackets 16 by angle bars 40.

Fixedly secured to the shaft 32 is a gear 41 which meshes with a gear 42 on one of the shafts 25. The gear 42 meshes with a gear 43 xed to one of the shafts 19. Upon rotation of the gear 41 in a clockwise direction, the belts 35 which extend transversely of the plate 17 will rotate in a clockwise direction as will the bands 21. The bands 27 will rotate in an anticlockwise direction-in other words, the lower runs of the bands 27 and the upper runs of the bands 21 will both rotate in the same direction as that of the upper runs of the belts 35.

On the shaft 32 is mounted a sprocket gear 44 which, by means of a sprocket chain 45, is connected to Ia sprocket gear 46 fixed-ly mounted on a shaft 47 journalled in a bearing plate 48 supported by the adjacent bracket 16.

On a shaft 47 is mounted a sprocket gear 49 (FIG. 2). The sprocket gear 49 by a sprocket chain 50y is connected to a sprocket gear 51 mounted on a shaft 52 supported by the bearing block 31.

'I'he shaft 52 is rotated by certain driving mechanism (not shown) of the article wrapping machine. On the shaft 47 is mounted a sprocket gear 55. A sprocket chain 5:6 is operatively connected to the sprocket gear 55. The sprocket chain 56 passes over spaced rollers 57.

As will be apparent from viewing FIG. l and comparing the parts thereof with the same parts as shown in FIG. 3, the sprocket gear 46 is in engagement with the lower loop 53 for reasons Imore fully hereinafter explained. When such sprocket gear 46 is not in operative engagement with the lower loop 53 of the sprocket chain 56, such sprocket chain l56 extends loosely from its sprocket gear 55. On the other hand, when the sprocket gear 46 is in engagement with the loop 53, the sprocket chain 56 becomes tight to transmit power to the gear 46.v

The operation of our paper feed and tensioning device is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive. FIG. 5 illustrates the elevator in an upper position to dispose the lower runs 28 of the bands 27 and the upper runs 21 of the bands 21 in position to receive therebetween -the paper web W of a length of wrapping paper. The end 58 of the web is releasably positioned between a pair of holding rollers 59 which function to hold the end 58 until the article is, by means of a follower, moved from a nal fold position. The rollers 59 may be operated to effectuate such releasable holding of the end of the web by any suitable means, such for example, a cam 59 lacting to move one Iroller into web-holding position with respect to the other roller.

Prior to the movement of the elevator to a lower position, the -blade 12 will have operated tov sever the web. Such lower position of the elevator is illustrated in FIG. 6, where it will be seen that the upper runs 37 of the belts 35 arel in line with a receiving platform P which supports the article `60 to be wrapped. The paper web will extend `downwardly from holding rollers 59 and between the bands 21 and 27. As the -article to be wrapped is -moved from the platform P onto the plate 17 as disclosed in the aforesaid patent, it engages the paper web W and draws the 'free end portion 60 therebeneath as shown in FIG. 6. The elevator will now move upwardly in the manner disclosed in the aforesaid patent, and as it reaches its upper position, the paper web, while remaining beneath the article, will be folded over the article as shown in FIG. 7, the end 58 of the web still being held by the holding rollers 59.

A suitable follower 61 is now brought into operation to move the pantially wrapped article 60" to the supporting plate 62.

When the elevator reaches its upper position, the

A sprocket gear 46 will engage the lower loop 53 of the sprocket chain `56, conditioning the chain 56 taut, so that an operative driving connection is effected between the sprocket gear 55 and the sprocket gear 46. This operative connection and operation of the chain S6 through the chain 45 and its associated sprocket gears, transmits rotation to the belts 35 and, through the me-dium of the gears 41, 42 a-nd 43, rotation to the bands 21 and 27. The rotation of the bands 21 and 27 effects the feeding of the paper web therebetween. This takes place upon the initial operation of the machine. The belts 3S rotate at a greater speed than the movement of the package by the follower 61. Inasmuch as the upper run 37 of the belts 35 is in contact with that 4portion of the paper web beneath the bottom of the article, it will be apparent that that portion of the web willbe drawn by the belts 35 `across the bottom of the partially wrapped article, thus tightening the paper about the article and removing any and all folds, wrinkles, creases or curls in the paper. This function ordinarily takes place before the follower 61 has advanced the wrapped article toward the platform P. As the article is moved onto t-he plate 62 by action of the follower 61, the end portion 58 of the paper web will be drawn from between the rollers 59 and that portion folded beneath the package with the end portions of the web in overlapping position, in which position they are sealed by a hot plate in the manner described in our co-pending application tiled on even date hereof, Serial No. 346,506.

We have described only so much of the article wrapping apparatus las We believe necessary to an understanding of our invention. Our invention principally is in the provision of the belts 35 which rotate beneath the package ata speed faster than the advancing movement of the wrappe-d article whereby to accomplish the aforesaid tightening of the paper about and beneath the article and at the same -time removing `any curls, wrinkles, folds, creases or the like. This results in leaving the underside of the paper web smooth so that w-hen it reaches the sealing plate it will have substantially perfect contact with such plate throughout its area beneath the article, resu1ting in a complete and unbroken seal.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction -for carrying our invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. We therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and lmodifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new land desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article wrapping machine comp-rising (a) a substantially at plate-like support on which an article is supported with ya paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(b) means lfor releasably holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(c) movable means carried by the support in contact with the portion of the web ydisposed beneath the 'article and movable in the same plane las that of the article when moved from said support,

(d) means for moving said article from said support,

(e) and lmeans for moving said movable means in said plane and in the direction of Imovement of the article from said support and at a speed faster than the movement oft he article from said support so Ias to draw said paper web tightly about said article as said article isl moved from said support.

2. The -device of clai-m 1 wherein said movable means comprises a plurality of elongated belts having their upper runs arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other and beneath and in contact with the paper web beneath the article.

3. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article wrapping machine comprising (a) a substantially flat plate-like support on which an article is supported with a paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(b) said support having a plurality of parallelly extending 'spaced apart slots formed therein,

(c) means for lreleasably holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(d) roller-supported belts having their upper runs operating in said slots in position to be contacted by the lportion of the web disposed beneath the article and movable in the same plane as that of the article when moved from said support,

(e) means for moving said article from said support,

(f) and means for moving said belts in said plane and in the direction of movement of the article from said support and at a speed 4faster than the movement of the article from said support `so as to draw said paper web tightly about said article as said article is moved from said support.

4. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article wrapping machine comprising (a) a substantially flat plate-like support on which an article is supported with a paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(b) means for releasably holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(c) movable means carried by the support in contact with the portion of the welb disposed beneath the article and movable in the same plane as that of the article when moved from said support,

(d) means for moving said article from `said support,

(e) and sprocket and sprocket chain means for moving said movable means in said plane and in the direction of movement of the article from said support and at a speed faster than the movement of the article from said support so as to draw said paper web tightly about said article as said article is moved from said support.

5. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article wrapping machine comprising (a) a substantially flat plate-like support on which an article is supported with a paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(Ib) said support having a plurality of parallelly extending 'spaced apart slots formed therein,

(c) means for releasalbly holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(d) roller-Supported Ibelts having their upper runs operating in said slots in position to be contacted by the portion of the web disposed beneath the article and movable in the same plane as that of the article when moved from said support,

(e) means for moving said article from said support,

(f) and sprocket and sprocket chain means for moving said belts in said plane and in the direction of movement of the article from said support and at a speed faster than the movement of the article from said support so as to draw said paper web tight-ly about said article as said article is moved -frorn said support,

6. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article Wrapping machine having an elevator movable into and from a plane to receive an article to be wrapped, said device comprising (a) a substantially tlat plate-like support carried by and movable with the elevator and on which an article is supported with a paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(lb) means for releasafbly holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(c) movable means carried by the `support in contact with the portion of the web disposed beneath the article when moved from said support,

(d) means for moving said article from said support,

(e) and means operable when said elevator is an elevated position -for moving said movable means in Isaid plane and in the direction of movement of the article from said support and at a speed faster than the movement of the article from said support so as to draw -said paper web tightly about said article as said article is moved from said support.

7. A tensioning and paper smoothing device for use in an article wrapping machine having an elevator movabile into and from a plane to receive an article to be Wrapped, said device comprising (a) a substantially flat plate-like support carried by and movable with the elevator and on which an article is supported with a paper web extending over the top of said article and therebeneath between the article and the support,

(b) means for releasably holding an end of the web extending over the top of said article,

(c) movable means carried by the support in contact with the portion of the web disposed beneath the article when moved from said support,

(d) means for moving said article from said support,

(e) and sprocket gear and chain means operable when said elevator is in elevated position for moving said movable means in said plane and in the direction of movement of -the article from vsaid support and at a speed faster than the movement of the article from said support so as to draw said paper web tightly about said article as said article is moved from said support.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,961,661 6/1934 Fuller 53-230 X 2,109,527 3/1938 Fenton 53-228 X 2,538,564 l/1951. Jensen et al, 53-230 X 2,831,303 4/1958 Hollis 53-218 X 2,911,777 11/ 1959 Pipitone et al 53--228 2,946,168 7/1960 Manwaring et al 53-230 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner. J. M, MEISTER, Examiner, 

1. A TENSIONING AND PAPER SMOOTHING DEVICE FOR USE IN AN ARTICLE WRAPPING MACHINE COMPRISING (A) A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT PLATE-LIKE SUPPORT ON WHICH AN ARTICLE IS SUPPORTED WITH A PAPER WEB EXTENDING OVER THE TOP OF SAID ARTICLE AND THEREBENEATH BETWEEN THE ARTICLE AND THE SUPPORT, (B) MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING AN END OF THE WEB EXTENDING OVER THE TOP OF SAID ARTICLE, (C) MOVABLE MEANS CARRIED BY THE SUPPORT IN CONTACT WITH THE PORTION OF THE WEB DISPOSED BENEATH THE ARTICLE AND MOVABLE IN THE SAME PLANE AS THAT OF THE ARTICLE WHEN MOVED FROM SAID SUPPORT, (D) MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ARTICLE FROM SAID SUPPORT, (E) AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOVABLE MEANS IN SAID PLANE AND IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLE FROM SAID SUPPORT AND AT A SPEED FASTER THAN THE MOVEMENT OF THE ARTICLE FROM SAID SUPPORT SO AS TO DRAW SAID PAPER WEB TIGHTLY ABOUT SAID ARTICLE AS SAID ARTICLE IS MOVED FROM SAID SUPPORT. 